Norwalk museum offers finds, food and fun at annual flea market

Christina Hennessy

Published 1:17 pm, Thursday, September 12, 2013

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum volunteers, from left, Dot DeFinis and Dorothy Canevari, work at the "White Elephant" table at a previous Old Fashioned Flea Market at the museum grounds. Consisting of donations from museum members and the community, one never knows what one might find. The market will return Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine), and feature about 80 vendors. Free admission. Visit http://lockwoodmathewsmansion.com for more information.
Photo: Contributed Photo

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum volunteers, from left, Dot DeFinis...

Some customers look to make a few purchases at last year's Old Fashioned Flea Market at the grounds of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum. The market will return Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine), and feature about 80 vendors. Free admission. Visit http://lockwoodmathewsmansion.com for more information.
Photo: Contributed Photo

If you have the itch to do some treasure hunting this weekend, all paths lead to the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, which will be hosting its sixth annual Old Fashioned Flea Market.

"You are sure to find some really interesting pieces," said Lynne Byington, the co-chairman of the event. "But you will need to make the time to go through everything."

Byington speaks from experience. Although this is her first time leading the event, she is no stranger to it.

"I'm really drawn to the jewelry pieces ... and the glassware," she said during an interview last week. "I have bought vases in the past that are very pretty."

You can find vessels for flowers as surely as you can find other items for the house, including furniture, toys and clothing -- new and vintage. There will be antiques and collectibles, too.

The event, which takes place on Sunday, Sept. 15, in Mathews Park, also will feature a collection of classic and antique cars for part of the day (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

"That is a draw in and of itself," Byington said.

Admission to the market is free, but for a discounted price, visitors can take a tour of the first floor of the mansion, where they can also peruse the exhibition, "What Is It? Technologies and Discoveries of the Victorian Era," that will close next month.

Byington said the "mini" tours, which began in 2011, have been a success.

"We will have someone stationed in each room, ready to answer questions," she said, adding that more than 100 people meandered through the space last year.

If in all that searching one drums up a bit of an appetite, there will be traditional picnic fare available from food vendors, including Michael Gilmartin Outdoor Cookers and Stew Leonard's.

Byington said the show seems to grow bigger every year, attracting more and more vendors.

"They are all different," she said, but added that one is likely to find multiple opportunities to pick up jewelry, antiques and glassware.

She said she suspects more than 75 vendors will have signed up to participate by the time the show begins. About a dozen nonprofits will be at the site, as well, to share their message and missions with visitors to the market.

One of the more eclectic booths, known as the white elephant table, features donations from museum volunteers and community members. The idea is to feature some unusual odds and ends, which range in value. All of the proceeds from that table go directly to the museum, which also benefits from the vendors' entry fees.

"We get a good variety at the table," said Byington.

Is it where one might find their treasure?

With many people tuning in to shows such as PBS' "Antiques Roadshow," Byington said it will likely be a hot spot for people who are looking for a bargain and hoping they unearth a find.

If you are interested in donating items to the "white elephant" table or if you want to buy vendor space, opportunities remain. Bring donations to the museum, and email or call Brian Fischer, the museum's facility coordinator about reserving exhibition space: bfischer@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com or 203-838-9799, ext. 117.